Animals Were Harmed in the Making of ‘Zookeeper’

Written by PETA | July 7, 2011

PETA members converged on the Hollywood premiere of the new movie Zookeeper to remember Tweet, a giraffe who collapsed and died on set during the movie’s production.

An elephant used in the film may also have been abused. Animal Defenders International took video footage of elephants as they were beaten and shocked by trainers at Have Trunk Will Travel, the company that provided the elephant for the movie.

Moviegoers may be surprised to learn that the presence of American Humane Association (AHA) representatives on a movie set is no guarantee that animals were not exploited, hurt, or even killed during production. AHA representatives only monitor what occurs during filming, not what happens during off-set training sessions, where abuse is most likely to occur.

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Unfortunately animals are abused and harmed by their trainer’s but none of the animals in this film were harmed by anyone to do with filming or acting in this movie. The Giraffe was 18 years old but there was no explanation or autopsy to find out why it died. The Elephant was owned by “Have Trunk Will Travel” and seems to have a reputation for it’s trainer’s cruel abuse while training them but they were trained before they were used in the movie and NOT abused while on set. There is a Site that shows how the movie was made with the Animals that people can go to to see how it was done. I love Animal’s with all my heart and can’t stand to see them or Human’s abused at all. Not only breaks my heart but makes me very angry. I think the blame should be put where and on whom it belongs though. As for review’s of the movie, I watch it every time it comes on the movie channel’s and I love it and so far haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like it but everyone has different like’s and dislike’s. I think it’s sweet and funny.

Any publicity is good publicity.. Will definitely watch this movie now, just because of this, and im probably not the only one. Yeah animal cruelty sucks, agree, but this is one giraffe that died under (not from) the recording of a movie. I think that there may be other animals around the world who needs a bit more attention, than one old circus giraffe. So why not use some of all that anger and energy to do some real good?

All of you people need to realize that sometimes things just happen. This was an accident, not animal cruelty. I suppose the use of the roaring MGM lion at the beginning of the movie was animal cruelty too? Maybe old MGM Leo feels exploited because every MGM movie begins with his roar? I’m sorry the animal died, but it appears to have been an accident. Zookeeper was also a very good movie. Thank you kindly.

Animals are NOT humans to use or abuse. Boycott all forms of entertainment that violate animals rights. Strength are in numbers. Be part of the solution and not the problem by not supporting animal entertainment and amusement.

RICHIE But the actors have a choice about doing the movie, and the animals don’t. All they know is that they get shippedover to a place where people beat them for making mistakes. The actors know the risks involved and are doing it willingly. Sure you can obiously show some love for them but the animals are actually purposely being abused for a mistake, most propably don’t even know why the are being forced to that stuff.

I saw the elephants being beaten and forced to stand on their front legs and making then run and …..shit! Why these people forget that they are also animals only little mature. They beat animals because they cant speak or behave like human. Shame on these people. How they must be behaving with there kids. They will be cursed big time.

my motto is–I’ll take an animal over a human any day.people are just to flawed.If you want perfection just look for any kind of animal. Pure innocence. Can’t say that about the ones who walk upright. We have a long way to go and declaring us top of the food chain is not by design. Sooner or later its going to reverse itself when this world populates itself right out of existence. I hope I’m not around when that happens.

ill watch this film, if animals wer seriously harm in this it wouldnt be running would it, they have set guidlines and rules when using animals, so reallly spend your energy on saving poor animals killed in homes for fun insted of being jealouss about these making money, ill watch it 10 times over and i bet everyone else will.

At Cindy. Apparently, using the word “stupid” 3 times to describe the movie is a very intelligent way to give your opinion. People supporting that movie have mental issues? I see, so entertainment is wrong…got it. It’s bad that an animal died or was abused during the film (if it even was, no proof, just reports.) But there are stunt people and actors who get hurt all the time to film movies. No love for them? The difference you may say is that the people choose to act, but that doesn’t make their efforts less significant. I suppose we should do away with films altogether. Seriously, you’re all idiots.

@Olivia Gray, Of course the steps you’re taking to go cruelty-free make a difference. I just want to point out that I think ‘Flowerchild’ is probably anti-PETA and using your comment to make fun of PETA.

if you hurt animals while making a movie. That is not worth it. I will never waste a single penny on that movie. Animal abuse for a stupid movie is not worth it. The director has a problem, and the people supporting that movie have mental issues. Hurting animals to film a stupid 1 in a half hour movie is not worth it. That is murder, never going to watch that stupid movie.

This is horrible – and I would highly appreciate if finally Peta would expose the unbearable animal cruelty of director Giuseppe Tornatore – who killed a cow in a horrific way for his movie ‘Baaria’! Before he did it already when shooting ‘Cinema Paradiso’! Please Peta – look the movie and have a strong reaction!!!

“If you have men who will exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men…” ~ St. Francis of Assisi, Roman Catholic friar, founder of the Franciscans order

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.